Method of real-time loyalty rewards redemption

Loyalty rewards systems provide the opportunity for users to accumulate rewards points. One way to earn reward points is to complete events, such as making a qualifying purchase. The accumulated rewards points can be exchanged for a number of benefits including cashing out the points for their monetary value. When cashing out the points, money can be transferred to a user through an Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment.

Typically, an ACH payment may take between three and five days to process before the user obtains the currency from the loyalty rewards redemption in their account. This may deter a user from pursuing the redemption of rewards through this method even though it may be their preferred method of exchange.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for earning rewards in a rewards system. The earned rewards have a value equivalent to a digital asset, and the digital asset can be transferred in real-time to a user device upon request. In the method, transaction data is received by the rewards system. In the reward system, rewards are continuously updated based on receipt of additional transaction data. A digital asset of an equivalent value is obtained through an asset management system. In response to a change in the current value of the rewards, a value of the digital asset is updated. When the rewards system and the asset management system receive redemption and transfer requests, the digital asset is transferred, in real-time, to a user device. Finally, the value of the digital asset is communicated to the user such that the user may exchange the digital asset for a monetary value.

Provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for allowing an account holder to authorize an entity to issue pull requests for real-time loyalty rewards redemption.

Further features of the present disclosure, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.

In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical or similar elements. Additionally, generally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

Provided herein are system, apparatus, device, method, and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for real-time loyalty rewards redemption. Rewards system may accrue rewards of a corresponding value to a digital asset that can be transferred to a user device (e.g., mobile devices, smart devices, etc.) in real-time, using ad hoc networks to transfer digital assets from an asset management system to a user device. The value of the digital asset may be updated as a user continues to earn rewards in the rewards system. When rewards are redeemed in the rewards system, the digital asset may be transferred directly to the user device at the time of the request. This allows the user to have access to the value of the rewards in real-time, rather than waiting possibly several days to exchange points for cash. According to aspects of this disclosure, the digital asset may be a cryptocurrency asset which may be transferred from the asset management system to the user device in real-time upon a redemption request.

1 FIG. 100 100 100 shows an example systemfor real-time loyalty rewards redemption. Systemis merely an example of one suitable system environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of aspects described herein. Systemshould not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement related to any single device/module/component or combination of devices/modules/components described therein.

100 130 102 110 150 120 Systemincludes reward system, network, user device, third party redemption service, and asset management system. Each of these products will be described in turn.

130 130 132 134 Rewards systemis a computer system that tracks user activity for the purpose of calculating rewards and maintaining a balance of rewards points. Rewards systemincludes a rewards tracking moduleand a communication module.

132 140 140 140 132 130 132 134 Rewards tracking modulemay be activated and/or initiated in response to receiving transaction dataindicating a qualifying event was completed. Transaction dataindicates that a transaction is eligible to earn rewards was completed. Based on transaction data, rewards tracking modulecalculates earned rewards according to qualifying criteria of rewards system. Rewards tracking modulemay notify communication modulethat the earned rewards have been updated.

134 134 120 102 When communication modulereceives an updated value for the earned rewards, communication moduleinstructs asset management system, through network, to acquire a digital asset of a certain value.

130 140 130 140 132 134 120 132 140 This process continues as rewards systemreceives new transaction data. In particular, as rewards systemreceives additional transaction data, rewards tracking moduleupdates the current value of a user's rewards. Communication modulewill continue to instruct asset management systemto acquire digital assets equivalent to the current value of rewards as calculated by rewards tracking module. As the rewards value is continuously updated based on transaction data, the digital asset may be a whole or fractionized portion of a unit of cryptocurrency.

134 120 134 134 110 134 112 110 As mentioned above, communication modulesends instruction to asset management systemto obtain digital assets. For example, such an instruction from communication modulemay specify the timing of when to obtain a digital asset, a type of digital asset to obtain, and an amount, whole or fractionized, to obtain. Communication modulemay also communicate directly with user device. For example, communication modulemay indicate the amount of the rewards to be displayed in user interface moduleof user device.

102 102 102 102 102 100 100 110 120 102 Communication between the various components may take place over network. Networkmay include a packet-switched network (e.g., internet protocol-based network), a non-packet switched network (e.g., quadrature amplitude modulation-based network), and/or the like. Networkmay include network adapters, switches, routers, modems, and the like connected through wireless links (e.g., radiofrequency, satellite) and/or physical links (e.g., fiber optic cable, coaxial cable, Ethernet cable, or a combination thereof). Networkmay include public networks, private networks, wide area networks (e.g., Internet), local area networks, and/or the like. Networkmay provide and/or support communication from a telephone, cellular phone, modem, and/or other electronic devices to and throughout the system. For example, systemmay include and support communications between user deviceand an asset management systemvia network.

120 120 130 120 Asset management systemmay enable purchase and sale of digital assets, such as a crypto coin or token or another digital asset. For example, asset management systemmay maintain a digital wallet and a wallet identifier associated with either the user or with rewards system. In this way, Asset management systemmay have the ability to write to a blockchain distributed ledger.

120 110 110 120 130 130 110 110 130 120 116 110 130 134 130 120 110 110 In addition to being able to write to a blockchain ledger, asset management systemmay have the ability to transfer a digital asset to user devicethat may provide, facilitate, and/or support one or more applications, and/or protocols, such as AMEX PAY®, and the like. User devicemay be configured to communicate with asset management systemto transfer digital assets. For example, the transfer message may be in response to a message from rewards systemindicating that a user would like to redeem loyalty rewards earned in rewards system. User devicemay be configured with an application and/or an application programming interface (API) that includes services, libraries, code, a combination thereof, and/or the like. The application and/or the API may enable user deviceto communicate with rewards systemand asset management systemto request that rewards be redeemed and that a corresponding digital asset be transferred to a user. For example, communication module, of user device, may send a redemption request to rewards system. In response, communication module, of rewards system, will send a transfer message to asset management systemindicating the digital asset should be transferred to the digital wallet of the user device. The digital asset will then be transferred to user devicein real-time.

120 120 102 As mentioned above, asset management systemmay write to a blockchain ledger. The blockchain may be a distributed database that maintains records in a readable manner and that is resistant to tampering. The blockchain may include a system of interconnected blocks containing data. The blocks can hold transfer data, smart contract data, and/or other information (e.g., digital assets, cryptocurrency assets, etc.) as desired. Each block may link to the previous block and may include a timestamp. When implemented in support of asset management system, the blockchain may serve as an immutable log for API transactions and related communications. The blockchain may be a peer-to-peer network that is private, consortium, and/or public (e.g., Ethereum, Bitcoin, etc.). Consortium and private networks may offer improved control over the content of the blockchain and public networks (e.g., network, etc.) may leverage the cumulative computing power of the network to improve security. The blockchain may be implemented using technologies, for example, Ethereum GETH, eth-light wallet, or other suitable blockchain interface technologies. The blockchain may be maintained on various nodes in the form of copies of the blockchain. Validation of API transactions may be added to the blockchain by establishing consensus between the nodes based on proof of work, proof of stake, practical byzantine fault tolerance, delegated proof of stake, or other suitable consensus algorithms.

110 102 102 User devicemay include a smart device, a mobile device, a computing device, and/or any other device capable of communicating with networkand/or device/components in communication with network.

110 112 112 110 102 120 130 140 150 100 112 User devicemay include a user interface module. User interface moduleenables a user to interact with user device, network, asset management system, rewards system, transaction data, third party redemption service, and/or any other device/component of the system. User interface modulemay include any interface for presenting and/or receiving information to/from a user.

112 102 110 120 140 150 100 User interface modulemay include a web browser, a user interface of an application (e.g., AMEX PAY®, etc.), and/or the like. Other software, hardware, and/or interfaces can be used to provide communication between network, user device, asset management system, transaction data, third party redemption serviceand/or any other device/component of the system.

112 112 112 130 110 150 User interface modulemay include one or more input devices and/or components, for example, such as a keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., a computer mouse, remote control), a microphone, a joystick, a tactile input device (e.g., touch screen, gloves, etc.), and/or the like. Input devices and/or components of user interface modulemay include hardware input devices and/or components, software input devices and/or components, virtual input devices and/or components, physical input devices and/or components, and/or the like. Interaction with the input device and/or components may enable a user to view, access, request, and/or navigate a user interface generated, accessible, and/or displayed by user interface module. Interaction with the input devices and/or components may enable a user to manipulate and/or interact with components of a user interface, for example, to check rewards value according to rewards system, to request transfer of digital asset to user device, to transfer digital asset to third party redemption servicein exchange for another currency, and/or the like.

110 134 112 132 120 User interfacereceives messages from communication modulethat indicate the current balance. User interface modulemay display a current balance to the user. The current balance may include the balance of the rewards calculated by rewards tracking moduleand the value of the digital asset being managed by asset management system.

110 116 134 102 102 120 120 150 130 110 100 116 134 116 134 116 134 User devicemay include a communication module, that, like communication moduledescribed above, enables communication with network(e.g., devices, components, and/or systems of the network, etc.), asset management system(e.g., devices, components, and/or systems of asset management system, etc.), third party redemption service, rewards systemand user device, respectively, and/or any other device/component of the system. Communication moduleand communication modulemay include any hardware and/or software necessary to facilitate communication including, but not limited to a modem, transceiver (e.g., wireless transceiver, etc.), digital-to-analog converter, analog-to-digital converter, encoder, decoder, modulator, demodulator, tuner (e.g., QAM tuner, QPSK tuner), and/or the like. For example, communication moduleand communication modulemay include multiple radio interfaces that support various wireless communication protocols and/or standards (e.g., Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH™, LTE, LTE-A, ZigBee, Ant+, near field communications (NFC), UWB (Ultra-wideband), 3G, 4G, 5G, PCS, GSM, etc.). Accordingly, the UE may need to simultaneously operate multiple radio interfaces corresponding to multiple wireless communication protocols and/or standards. Communication moduleand communication moduleenable wireless, ad hoc, automatic, self-configuring high-speed networking.

110 130 130 110 120 Communication moduleand rewards systemmay use a communication protocol (e.g., Ultra-wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi Direct, peer-to-peer Wi-Fi, Nearby Share, Multipeer Connectivity, infrared, etc.) to facilitate ad hoc, and high-speed network between rewards system, user device, asset management system, and/or the like.

110 114 114 110 114 110 110 110 120 120 110 120 120 To manage asset transferal, user devicemay include an allocation module. Allocation modulemay be initiated, supported by, in communication with, and/or the like an application (e.g., AMEX PAY®, etc.) and/or the like configured with user device. Allocation modulemay include and/or be associated with a digital wallet. The digital wallet may include payment information and passwords associated with the user device(e.g., associated with a user of the user device). For example, the digital wallet may include a crypto wallet. Additionally, the digital wallet may include payment card information, the payment card may be associated with a primary account number (PAN). The PAN may be tokenized for security. The PAN associated with the user devicemay be stored by asset management system(e.g., a payment network configured with, supported by, and/or enabled by asset management system, etc.) in a database record linked to a payment account (and/or user profile) associated with a user (e.g., a user associated with and/or using the user device, etc.). The payment account may be maintained/controlled by asset management system(e.g., via an entity of asset management system, AMEX PAY®, etc.).

120 110 110 110 120 110 120 110 150 110 110 As previously described, asset management systemmay include and/or be part of a device/network associated with an institution that maintains digital assets, for example cryptocurrency assets. User devicemay receive a digital asset in a digital wallet associated with user device. The exchange may be instantaneous so user devicereceives the digital asset from asset management systemin their digital wallet in real-time upon request from user deviceto asset management system. The digital asset in the digital wallet of user devicehas a monetary value the user may choose to exchange with third party redemption serviceto for monetary asset at any time. The digital asset may also be stored on user devicein the digital wallet and used to make purchases where the accepted currency is in the form of the digital asset stored in the digital wallet of user device.

114 110 120 110 130 110 120 150 Allocation modulemay include and/or be associated with a digital wallet including a crypto wallet (e.g., software, hardware, and/or the like that enables user deviceto store and use cryptocurrency, etc.). A crypto wallet enables transactions to occur with an identifier (such as a username) that can be associated with a public key address on a blockchain of asset management system. User devicemay utilize a crypto wallet to send and/or receive cryptocurrency assets redeemed through earned rewards in rewards system. The crypto wallet can be used to store a user's public and private keys for accessing and using cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), crypto tokens (e.g., ERC-20, Dogecoin, etc.), and/or the like may be transferred between crypto wallets and/or crypto accounts associated with user deviceand asset management systemand third party redemption service.

114 110 120 116 120 130 120 120 110 114 112 120 110 114 114 134 132 Allocation moduleenables user deviceto receive an asset from asset management systembased on an indication from communication moduleto asset management systemthat user would like to redeem rewards from rewards systemfor the digital asset held in asset management system. Upon redemption, digital asset would be transferred from asset management systemto user deviceand held in allocation modulewhich may include a digital wallet associated with a crypto wallet. User interface modulemay include capability for user to select automatic redemption of any rewards earned, which includes that automatic transfer of the digital asset held in asset management systemto user devicein allocation module. For example, the automatic transfer may be monthly, but can be a periodic automatic redemption and subsequent automatic transferal determined by user. If no rewards have been earned of an equivalent amount of a digital asset, then no transfer would occur for that time period. The value of any digital asset (e.g., cryptocurrencies and/or crypto tokens, fractional cryptocurrencies and/or crypto tokens, monetary assets, collateral items, personal identifiers and/or digital signatures, etc.) received by allocation modulemay correspond to a value indicated by communication moduledetermined, calculated, and/or identified via rewards tracking module.

2 FIG. 2 FIG. 1 FIG. 200 200 200 200 shows a flowchart of an example methodfor real-time loyalty rewards redemption. Methodcan be performed by processing logic that can comprise hardware (e.g., circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.), software (e.g., instructions executing on a processing device), or a combination thereof. It is to be appreciated that not all steps may be needed to perform the disclosure provided herein. Further, some of the steps may be performed simultaneously, or in a different order than shown in, as will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Methodshall be described with reference to. However, methodis not limited to the aspects of those figures.

210 130 140 132 140 140 132 In, rewards systemreceives transaction data, and rewards tracking moduledetermines whether transaction dataqualifies to earn rewards, such as by representing an event qualified to earn rewards. Transaction datamay include transaction information from a merchant device (e.g., based on a near-field communication (NFC) transaction with a merchant POS device, based on a Bluetooth beacon from a merchant device, based on an email from a merchant device, etc.) and/or the like. Events qualifying to earn rewards may be specified by rewards moduleand may include purchase events, percentage back rewards, spend thresholds, and/or the like.

220 132 130 210 132 140 132 130 140 132 In, rewards tracking module, in rewards system, uses transaction data received in stepto determine a first value for the digital asset. When rewards tracking moduledetermines that transaction dataqualifies to earn rewards, then rewards tracking modulemay determine an equivalent value for a digital asset, whole or fractionized. To determine a first value for the digital asset, rewards tracking systemmay receive enough transaction datafor rewards tracking moduleto accrue enough rewards of an equivalent minimum first value for the digital asset. The equivalent minimum first value for the digital asset may be equivalent to a whole or fractionized portion of a digital asset. The digital asset may be a cryptocurrency asset (e.g., non-fungible tokens, cryptocurrencies, cryptocurrency tokens, etc.).

230 134 220 134 120 120 134 120 116 110 120 In, communication modulesends an instruction to asset management system to obtain a digital asset of the value determined by rewards tracking module in. Communication modulewill instruct asset management systemto acquire a digital asset (e.g., non-fungible tokens, cryptocurrencies, cryptocurrency tokens, etc.). Once the digital asset is obtained, asset management systemmay manage the asset. For example, communication modulemay instruct asset management systemto obtain additional value of the digital asset or communication modulemay request redemption/transfer of the digital asset to the user device. The digital asset obtained by asset management systemmay have an equivalent monetary value such as a cryptocurrency asset (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), crypto tokens (e.g., ERC-20, Dogecoin, etc.), and/or the like.

240 132 140 140 132 130 132 134 120 130 120 In, rewards tracking modulecontinues to receive transaction dataas events occur to earn eligible rewards. As transaction datais received, rewards modulemay continuously update the rewards value in rewards system. At various intervals while rewards tracking moduleis tracking an increase in rewards value, communication modulemay instruct asset management systemto obtain additional value of the digital asset. Due to the continuous earning of rewards in rewards systemand subsequent purchase of a corresponding value in a digital asset, the digital asset may be a whole or fractionized portion of a digital asset. For example, when the digital asset is a cryptocurrency asset, asset management systemmay manage a whole/fractionized portion of non-fungible tokens, cryptocurrencies, cryptocurrency tokens, and/or the like.

250 110 116 120 114 110 114 110 110 120 120 110 130 110 In, user devicesends an instruction using communication module, to asset management systemto transfer the current digital asset to allocation moduleof user device. Allocation modulemay include a digital wallet including a crypto wallet (e.g., software, hardware, and/or the like that enables user deviceto store and use cryptocurrency, etc.). The initiation and transfer of the digital asset to user devicefrom asset management systemis done in real-time. When transfer of the digital asset from asset management systemto user deviceis completed, rewards systemmay clear any rewards value that may have contributed to the digital asset transferred to user device.

260 110 112 110 114 110 114 150 In, user devicedisplays the value of the digital asset in user interface module. User devicemay store digital asset in allocation modulewhich may include a digital wallet including a crypto wallet. If instructed, user devicemay transfer digital asset in allocation moduleto third party redemption servicein exchange for monetary value. For example, if the digital wallet is a cryptocurrency asset such as Bitcoin, the digital asset may be exchanged for monetary value with a Bitcoin broker.

300 300 3 FIG. Various embodiments may be implemented, for example, using one or more well-known computer systems, such as computer systemshown in. One or more computer systemsmay be used, for example, to implement any of the embodiments discussed herein, as well as combinations and sub-combinations thereof.

300 304 304 306 Computer systemmay include one or more processors (also called central processing units, or CPUs), such as processor. Processormay be connected to a bus or a communication infrastructure.

300 303 306 302 Computer systemmay also include user input/output device(s), such as monitors, keyboards, pointing devices, etc., which may communicate with a bus or communication infrastructureuser input/output interface(s).

304 One or more of processorsmay be a graphics processing unit (GPU). In an embodiment, a GPU may be a processor that is a specialized electronic circuit designed to process mathematically intensive applications. The GPU may have a parallel structure that is efficient for parallel processing of large blocks of data, such as mathematically intensive data common to computer graphics applications, images, videos, etc.

300 308 308 308 Computer systemmay also include a main or primary memory, such as random access memory (RAM). Main memorymay include one or more levels of cache. Main memorymay have stored therein control logic (i.e., computer software) and/or data.

300 310 310 312 314 314 Computer systemmay also include one or more secondary storage devices or secondary memory. Secondary memorymay include, for example, a hard disk driveand/or a drive or a removable storage device. Removable storage drivemay be a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, a tape backup device, and/or any other storage device/drive.

314 318 318 318 314 318 Removable storage drivemay interact with a removable storage unit. The removable storage unitmay include a computer-usable or readable storage device having stored thereon computer software (control logic) and/or data. Removable storage unitmay be a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, DVD, optical storage disk, and/any other computer data storage device. Removable storage drivemay read from and/or write to the removable storage unit.

310 300 322 320 322 320 Secondary memorymay include other means, devices, components, instrumentalities, and/or other approaches for allowing computer programs and/or other instructions and/or data to be accessed by computer system. Such means, devices, components, instrumentalities, and/or other approaches may include, for example, a removable storage unitand an interface. Examples of the removable storage unitand the interfacemay include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, a memory stick and USB port, a memory card and associated memory card slot, and/or any other removable storage unit and associated interface.

300 324 324 300 328 324 300 328 326 300 326 Computer systemmay further include a communication or network interface. Communications interfacemay enable computer systemto communicate and interact with any combination of external devices, external networks, external entities, etc. (individually and collectively referenced by reference number). For example, communications interfacemay allow computer systemto communicate with external or remote devicesover communications path, which may be wired and/or wireless (or a combination thereof), and which may include any combination of LANs, WANs, the Internet, etc. Control logic and/or data may be transmitted to and from computer systemvia communications path.

300 Computer systemmay also be any of a personal digital assistant (PDA), desktop workstation, laptop or notebook computer, netbook, tablet, smartphone, smartwatch or other wearables, appliance, part of the Internet-of-Things, and/or embedded system, to name a few non-limiting examples, or any combination thereof.

300 Computer systemmay be a client or server, accessing or hosting any applications and/or data through any delivery paradigm, including but not limited to remote or distributed cloud computing solutions; local or on-premises software (“on-premise” cloud-based solutions); “as a service” models (e.g., content as a service (CaaS), digital content as a service (DCaaS), software as a service (SaaS), managed software as a service (MSaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), desktop as a service (DaaS), framework as a service (FaaS), backend as a service (BaaS), mobile backend as a service (MBaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), etc.); and/or a hybrid model including any combination of the foregoing examples or other services or delivery paradigms.

300 Any applicable data structures, file formats, and schemas in computer systemmay be derived from standards including but not limited to JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), Extensible Markup Language (XML), Yet Another Markup Language (YAML), Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), Wireless Markup Language (WML), MessagePack, XML User Interface Language (XUL), or any other functionally similar representations alone or in combination. Alternatively, proprietary data structures, formats, and/or schemas may be used, either exclusively or in combination with known or open standards.

300 308 310 318 322 300 In some aspects, a tangible, non-transitory apparatus or article of manufacture comprising a tangible, non-transitory computer useable or readable medium having control logic (software) stored thereon may also be referred to herein as a computer program product or program storage device. This includes, but is not limited to, computer system, main memory, secondary memory, and removable storage unitsand, as well as tangible articles of manufacture embodying any combination of the foregoing. Such control logic, when executed by one or more data processing devices (such as computer system), may cause such data processing devices to operate as described herein.

3 FIG. Based on the teachings contained in this disclosure, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) how to make and use embodiments of this disclosure using data processing devices, computer systems, and/or computer architectures other than that shown in. In particular, embodiments can operate with software, hardware, and/or operating system implementations other than those described herein.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not any other section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. Other sections can set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit this disclosure or the appended claims in any way.

Additionally and/or alternatively, while this disclosure describes exemplary embodiments for exemplary fields and applications, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. Other embodiments and modifications thereto are possible and are within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. For example, and without limiting the generality of this paragraph, embodiments are not limited to the software, hardware, firmware, and/or entities illustrated in the figures and/or described herein. Further, embodiments (whether or not explicitly described herein) have significant utility to fields and applications beyond the examples described herein.

One or more parts of the above implementations may include software. Software is a general term whose meaning includes specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined as long as the specified functions and relationships (or equivalents thereof) are appropriately performed. Also, alternative embodiments can perform functional blocks, steps, operations, methods, etc. using orderings different than those described herein.

References herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” or similar phrases, indicate that the embodiment described can include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment can not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of persons skilled in the relevant art(s) to incorporate such feature, structure, or characteristic into other embodiments whether or not explicitly mentioned or described herein. Additionally, some aspects can be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. These terms are not necessarily intended as synonyms for each other. For example, some aspects can be described using the terms “connected” and/or “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. The term “coupled,” however, can also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

The breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.